Galatians: Reading the Bible for Spiritual TransformationSample

Grace, Grace, and More Grace

Throughout his letter to the Galatians, Paul speaks to how you and I have been called out of darkness by the grace of Christ through His life, death, and resurrection. Grace initially opens our eyes to our need for a Savior. Formation into the person of Jesus Christ begins, is sustained by, and will be completed by the Good News of grace. No matter how long we have walked with Christ, we never outgrow our need for grace. In fact, it is quite the opposite. We need more and more grace as we grow in intimacy with Jesus.

On the subject of being formed into the person of Jesus, M. Robert Mulholland Jr. once wrote, "Our growth toward wholeness in Christ is for the sake of others within the body of Christ, that we might nurture one another into the wholeness of Christ. Our growth toward wholeness is also for the sake of others beyond the body of Christ, that the redeeming, healing, transforming love of God may be made known in a broken and hurting world."

The Apostle Paul, in his letter to the Galatians, speaks at length about our "growth toward wholeness in Christ." As an example, Galatians 2:19-20 says, “For through the law I died to the law, so that I might live to God. I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but it is Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”

In this reading plan, we will look closer at Paul's testimony of transformation (See Galatians 1:11 - 2:10). His story of freedom in Christ provides us with six components common to every spiritual journey. His words remind us that life with God is a process, not a formula. In a world often hyper-focused on productivity, it can be tempting to see our journey of spiritual formation as linear - as a series of tasks on a to-do list.

As you go, take time today to reflect on your own personal faith journey. How did you come to know Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior? Throughout the seasons of your life, how has Christ walked with you through times of blessing and hardship? And how might your story of formation into the image of Christ provide hope to a broken and hurting world?